A MOTHER who set up a social media page to sell hundreds of counterfeit items said she did it to give her kids a “decent Christmas”.

Kimberley Wallace appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday, alongside Victoria Harrop and Andrew Wright, charged with possessing goods with a false trademark for sale.

Magistrates heard police raided Wallace’s home, on Bessemer Street, in Ferryhill, on December 22, 2015, and found counterfeit UGG slippers, MAC make-up sets, Stone Island jackets, Adidas tracksuits and Ghd sets among other items.

Gill Proud, prosecuting on behalf of Durham County Council, said Darlington Trading Standards had received information regarding the selling of goods believed to be counterfeit.

“As part of an investigation initial checks were made on Facebook of a page called Kim Wallace Dean Bank buy and sell,” she said. “Posts on that page showed pictures of items with prices listed in the comments.

“When police searched Mrs Wallace’s home on Bessemer Street, 140 suspected counterfeit items were recovered in boxes from the Manchester Clothing Company that had two separate addresses on.”

The addresses were those of Wright’s home, in Stocks Green, Newton Aycliffe, and Harrop’s home, in West View, Bishop Auckland.

Mrs Proud added: “Goods were also being offered for sale on the personal Facebook page of Andrew Wright and there was evidence that it was linked to the Dean Bank buy and sell page.

“When Mr Wright’s house was searched, 42 items of counterfeit clothing were found and when Mrs Harrop’s property was searched, 30 pairs of counterfeit Nike trainers were seized along with 22 Ralph Lauren body warmers.”

Ben Pegman, representing Harrop, said the 55-year-old bought the trainers from a market to give to friends and family.

She claimed the box found in Wallace’s house with her name on had originally contained a uniform ordered from the Manchester company, and she had simply reused it to pack kitchen items she later sold to Wallace.

Wallace, 40, who represented herself in court, pleaded guilty to a total of ten charges and said: “Everything I had was for my family, I have six kids and grandchildren and I wanted to give them a decent Christmas for once. It was a one off.”

Wright, 45, also representing himself, pleaded guilty to seven charges.

He said he had four teenage sons and wanted the items for them.

Harrop, who pleaded guilty to two charges, was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £300 victim surcharge and costs of £261.54.

Wright was also fined £550, ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge and £282.66 costs.

Wallace was fined £200, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £356.41 costs.